Wanted suspect holds woman hostage in Spokane Valley

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Spokane Valley Police along with the help of a SWAT team arrested a man who was wanted for drug trafficking and was holding a woman against her will.

Officials were called to an apartment on East Mission around 11:00 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a wanted suspect, Zachary Edinger, 23. Deputies learned Edinger was possibly armed, had an active extraditable felony warrant for a drug trafficking charge in Coeur d’Alene and two local misdemeanor warrants.

Authorities said they knocked on the door and a few moments later began making announcements over a patrol car’s PA system asking Edinger to exit the apartment. They also asked the woman who was believed to be inside to exit and contact them. They did not receive a reply. Deputies confirmed two cars that Edinger reportedly used were parked in the apartment complex lot.

A SWAT team and a hostage negotiation team were then requested because Edinger was refusing to exit the apartment. Officials also applied for a warrant while trying to get into contact with the suspect.

A short time later, deputies said they learned Edinger was holding a woman against her will and wouldn’t let her leave the apartment. SWAT and negotiators arrived and residents in the uninvolved apartments were asked to shelter in place or evacuate with the help of deputies.

Officials said negotiators contacted Edinger over the phone and eventually convinced him to release the woman and surrender. Around 2:00 a.m., the woman was released and Edinger was taken into custody without anyone being hurt.

Edinger was transported to the Spokane County Jail and booked on charges of unlawful imprisonment, resisting arrested and misdemeanor warrants. He is also being held on a fugitive charge out of Idaho.